MAGNIFICENT MALAYSIA
People have diverse passions when it comes to touring places. Some enjoy lonely jaunts, some others frequent nature spots, while selected few long for divine destinations (seen rarely these days), unlike the later generation which enjoys spending more time at busy, crowded locales spending lavishly, visiting malls, casinos and the like that are devoid of any pleasure to mind and soul. But Malaysia in general and its Capital Kuala Lumpur in particular excel in giving out whatever one wishes to have and enjoy during a trip.
Though I had been there once, three & a half decades ago I foresaw unimaginable changes now. Yes, comparatively there is a sea of change. In my first trip I flew from Chennai, as Bengaluru was not an international airport then. Hardly a 3-hour flight saw me landing at Subhang airport. Then, passing through Putrajaya, a recently built locality south of the Capital Kuala Lumpur that houses Putra Mosque, many Government offices INCLUDING Prime Minister’s bungalow and spectacular malls - almost an hour’s road journey - takes you to the heart of the Capital.
My first place of visit was the world famous Petrona Twin towers with 88 floors, almost resembling Burj Khalifa (Dubai). The giant structure stands majestically before our eyes, belittling all things around. The uppermost edges of the twin towers look as if dusting the sky ceiling. During evenings, clouds moving past the sky scrapper take off the sight from you making you wonder over mastery of we humans over the nature. A bridge-connect joins the two at the 41st and 42nd floors. Clicking a selfie with the complete building as the backdrop is next to impossible as our mobiles / cameras fail to catch it in entirety. Zoom lens if fixed to your apparatus can cover its full length to some extent. So lens vendors hover around. Unable to curb the desire to take one on rent, I got it and took a click. Spectacular it was. Around one kilometre from here, is the KL Tower (421 mtrs height) where tourists are allowed entry to reach the peak via a gigantic lift, of course for a fee. Within seconds we reach the top and are allowed to a 360 degree circular view-deck where zoom cameras are fixed all around. Identical to the one in Burj Khalifa, we viewed round the entire city below our eyes. A mesmerising, unforgettable sight it was. Once down & back at the ticket counter, I wondered if I really had been to the tower-top. This tower is said to be 100 mtrs higher than the Petronas tower.
Next morning, we moved on to Genting Highland by road - a hilly surface, a-la Chamundi Hill back in Mysore – a 20 KMs drive - before boarding the cable car to reach the final destination. Can go on road also till the end. But enjoying the cable car ride is itself an inexplicable pleasure. Half way through, we saw a Buddhist Monastery, where we got down, visited the temple, came back in the next half an hour and boarded the cable car again to continue the journey. One kilometre before the final stop we could see below our legs an entertainment hub there, with huge gathering, mostly of children vying for jolly rides. Alighting at the last stop, we entered the Casino, a literal den with all sorts of gambling kiosks. You are tempted to play at least one. Nothing wrong, after all we are not professional gamblers. I too did play one or two, just for the fun of it. Alongside, there are play-sports for kids. We enjoyed there till the evening and returned to the hotel by 8, again by cable car & road journey.
My third day was scheduled for a visit to Batu Caves (limestone cave) - around 12 km drive - one more cone-shaped hill dedicated to the Tamil God Muruga. The day being Thai Poosam – a special day for the God – the area was heavily crowded and we were warned against the visit. Unwilling to take the risk, I too decided to drop it. But my hotel manager (a Tamilian indeed), insisted that we go for it, as we may have experienced rush of a higher magnitude in our own local Jatras (car festivals) back in India and this is nothing in comparison. But for him we would have missed the opportunity. Finally we got into a local bus and reached the place on our own. I was spell bound seeing the arrangements there – a devotional music program was on at a high-rise platform and chants of Muruga Muruga rented our ears. The entire hill had a festive look. With my Dravidian brothren moving around here and there, I felt as if I was in a place at the neighbouring state back in India. The procession deity was being taken up the hill in a palanquin and we had good Darshan. I dared to climb the steps braving the mad rush; in fact I enjoyed it. A big metal idol of Lord Muruga with a Vel (spear) on his RIGHT hand is installed half the way as if blessing his devotees. A gigantic structure it was. After spending 3 to 4 hours there, we got into a local bus and reached the hotel by 6 in the evening but not before alighting at China Town to buy few souvenirs to gift out to my kith & kin back home.
Next morning we visited the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a monument where annual Independence Day parades are held.
Though contended, on the 4th day, we left the city half-heartedly to board our return flight, vowing for a re-visit on our next trip to Penang, another tourist city of the country.
Malaysian currency: RMB (Malaysian Ringits) – 1 RMB is equal to around INR 18.
Need to carry sufficient currency OR a credit card – even roadside vendors here do accept card swipe.
N.DEVARAJAN, NANJANGUD, MYSORE